4 Ways to Reduce Bitterness in Cucumbers

Bitterness starts from the stem of the cucumber and works its way to the blossom end. Here are 4 ways to reduce the bitterness of your cucumbers!

A. Cut off the stem end about 2 inches up or until bitter part is gone. If you are going to peel your cucumber, peel it from blossom to stem end, otherwise you are spreading the bitterness from the stem across the whole cucumber.

B. Cut off one end at a time and rub the cucumber on your hand until a white foam appears. This white foam has the cucurbitacins, the chemical that makes them bitter. Rinse the cucumber after you have foamed it.

C. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise and sprinkle with salt. The salt will cause it to foam extracting the bitter cucurbitacins. Rinse and repeat until no foaming occurs.

D. Cut off the ends of the cucumber and peel the skin. Then rake it with a fork, deeply to release the cucurbitacins. Then rinse it.